I've worked with kids who have special needs in self-contained classes since 2003. I taught a special education class at an elementary school in South Central Los Angeles for five years. I've taught the Life Skills Class here at Olympic View Elementary since 2009. It has been an extraordinary experience. Oak Harbor is a wonderful community, and this school in particular has such a positive, welcoming atmosphere.

 

Our main classroom priority is to provide a safe, calm, and rigorous atmosphere for our students. Our educational program is individually tailored to each child's particular strengths and needs, but the long-term goal is the same for everyone: we want our students to achieve the maximum level of independence possible by the time they are 21 years old and they exit the public school system. In order to achieve that outcome, we strive to create meaningful short-term objectives that will scaffold their independence as adults.